Merlin Custom Wheels or Factory Built?

misterdun
misterdun Posts: 91
edited February 2010 in MTB buying advice
Am looking to get some new wheels before long, mainly XC use and hopefully a bit rougher stuff when I can get out of the flats of the fens but nothing too extreme. I have been looking at Merlins custom wheel builder and have compiled this (set = £190):

Spoke Upgrades: DT Comp S/S DB Black
Rim Upgrades: DT XR4.2 Black Disc
Hub Upgrades: XT Spined Disc
Pro 11 Hub Colour: Black

Would this combo be any cop or am I better off looking at a set of factory build Crossrides or similar for £200 max?

Comments

  • The Big Cheese
    The Big Cheese Posts: 8,650
    4.2ds are DTs lightweight race/xc rim.

    XTs are good hubs although you have chosen the centerlock option, do you have centerlock rotors? If not, you'll have to buy 6 bolt adapters.

    They are £20 each, so will bump the price of you wheelset up.

    How heavy are you, will you be doing mainly XC then they are fine, if you are wanting something a little tougher I suggest you look at the Mavic 719 rim option. Similar to the 717 but stronger, with a wider rim (it's in the name) and slightly heavier.
  • The Big Cheese
    The Big Cheese Posts: 8,650
    4.2ds are DTs lightweight race/xc rim.

    XTs are good hubs although you have chosen the centerlock option, do you have centerlock rotors? If not, you'll have to buy 6 bolt adapters.

    They are £20 each, so will bump the price of you wheelset up.

    How heavy are you, will you be doing mainly XC then they are fine, if you are wanting something a little tougher I suggest you look at the Mavic 719 rim option. Similar to the 717 but stronger, with a wider rim (it's in the name) and slightly heavier.
  • misterdun
    misterdun Posts: 91
    I have 6 bolt rotors, thanks for pointing that out. Am under 12st so weight not a big issue. Advice is much appreciated.
  • The Big Cheese
    The Big Cheese Posts: 8,650
    misterdun wrote:
    I have 6 bolt rotors, thanks for pointing that out. Am under 12st so weight not a big issue. Advice is much appreciated.

    I would go fpr Pro II hubs, on 719 rims. That's an ace combo and plenty strong. I ran some a couple of years ago on my Attack Trail.

    May be just what you are looking for.
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Also try a forum search for comments on these wheelsets.
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  • coxy17
    coxy17 Posts: 401
    ive got

    DT 5.1 on hope pro 2 and it is light and strong so i think its a good choice in u want to go a bit more extreme and its about 220 for a pair if you shop around

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